CNN's John King and other top political reporters empty out their notebooks each Sunday on "Inside Politics" to reveal five things that will be in the headlines in the days, weeks and months ahead.

1. FOR DEMOCRATS, OPTIMISM IS SPELLED M-A-R-K

Still a tough year for Democrats, but Julie Pace of The Associated Press shared word that the party feels a bit better about the prospect of retaining its Senate majority because of two incumbents who share a first name.

Mark Pryor of Arkansas and Mark Begich of Alaska are both looking stronger in recent polling, lifting Democratic spirits. Neither of these incumbents is out of the woods. Hardly. But Democrats like the current trend line in both races.FULL POST

On CNN's "State of the Union with Candy Crowley," Gov. Deval Patrick, D-Massachusetts, reflects on the landmark Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education, which happened 60 years ago this weekend.

"I remember a friend of mine describing Brown versus Board of Education as being the example of sending the kids in to do what the adults wouldn't do. The adults wouldn't live together, wouldn't integrate the neighborhoods so we sent the kids in to integrate the schools.FULL POST